LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

Chap. Copyright No. 

Shelf..tl^S3 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 
AND OTHER POEMS 



THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 



AND OTHER POEMS 



BY 



/ 



William A. Maline 




CLEVELAND: XLbe »urrow0 JBrotbers 
Company, PUBLISHERS, M DCCC XCVIIl 



/ 




v- 









••>^^>8 



Copyright, I898 

BY 

William A. Maline 




CONTENTS 



Pasre 



The Nineteenth Century . 


7 


Miscellaneous Poems : 




Music .... 


2g 


Easter .... 


30 


On the Death of Augustus Lang 


31 


Memorial Day 


32 


The Fourth of July 


33 


Life's Rosy Morn 


35 


Flag of Columbia 


36 


The Song of the Bicycle 


37 


The Lake 


39 


To the Memory of William Ray en 


40 


The Pioneers . 


42 


Christmas 


U 


The Battle of Le-panto 


46 


Eugene Field . 


48 


Bill Nye . . . . 


50 


Burns' Birthday 


52 



Page 



Miscellaneous Poems, continued: 




Summer Song .... 


54 


My Love .... 


55 


Welcome to Knights of Columbus 


56 


Sonnets: 




Winter . . . . 


59 


The Waltz . . . . 


60 


The Poets . . . . 


61 


Immortality . . . . 


62 


To Baby "Julian 


63 


On the Death of Maceo 


64 




THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 



THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 



DEDICATION. 

Dear Mother, guardian angel of my life, 

When on the century my thoughts have turned, 

Thy four score years of love and mortal strife 
Have formed so large a part, and tribute earned: 

That to record the years and leave out Thee, 

Would be a tale so incompletely told. 
That boarding mem'ry's bark, I'll put to sea, 

And with Thee cross the main where years have 
rolled. 

O, sweeter than the sweetest lyric muse, 
That ever poet sought for sacred fire ! 

Sweet Mother, let thy attributes suffuse 

My heart and brain, and me thy love inspire ; 

Then shall my pen preserve in verse sublime 
The great deeds of the age and deeds of thine ! 

And as Thou standest on the brink of time. 
Thy monument shall build, dear Mother mine, 
9 



xrbe IRiueteentb Century 



777^ PROEM. 

Scarce two years after Waterloo was fought, 
While Bonaparte 'mid ocean's sullen roar 

Like caged lion lay, a child was brought 

To German parents near Rhine's classic shore. 

Fair-haired and ruddy-cheeked the prattler grew, 
Unconscious of war's devastating moil; 

Nor cared, nor knew, how ruled by tyrants few, 
Democracy Jay crushed on Europe's soil. 

These thoughts her kindred with forebodings filled, 
And ever and anon when from the West 

Glad tidings came of Freedom's land — it thrilled 
Their hearts, and robbed them of their wonted 
rest. 

Until their thirst for liberty, intense, 

Burst ev'ry tie that bound them to their home, 

When gath'ring loved ones, all departed hence 
To build new nests across the ocean's foam. 

O bitter parting from the fatherland ! 

Which all the world had been to man and wife ; 
O sacrifice, we cannot understand 

Who have not made it, like the end of life. 



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They landed strangers on a foreign shore, 

The language, customs, manners, all unknown, — 

Nor met familiar face, nor welcome door, 
But sought the trackless wilderness, alone. 

There, unmolested, with laborious stroke, 
'Mid liberty and peace the home arose; 

There Katie dwelt, contented with her folk ; 
Each day by cheerful work won sweet repose. 

Theirs great the task, the Western pioneers'. 

To clear the forest, break the virgin soil; 
Few comforts eased their lives in those first years, 

To live, for them, meant unremitting toil. 

These men and women merit highest praise, 
Their work and sacrifice foundation laid 

For sov'reign states. — The present owes their days 
A debt so great it cannot be repaid. 

Rude were their habitations, logs rough-hewn. 
Their nearest neighbors, savage wolf and bear. 

Of learning's store scant was their meager boon. 
Coarse, home-spun clothes, self-made, their all to 
wear. 

Their homely food was grown upon the farm. 

No luxury or dainty fare was known ; 
Their simple lives and rugged faith from harm 

Protected them — their preacher God alone. 



Ube IRineteentb Century 



'Mid scenes described, Kate grew to womanhood, 
Pure as the snow that covers winter's hill; 

Strong as young tree that forms the native wood. 
Fair, frank, and free, as rustic, rippling rill. 

Then came my father wooing her young heart, 
Strong, resolute, of large and hardy frame ; 

Formed fit to conquer maid, and reign in mart, 
Though poor in purse, rich in his honest name. 

A Rhenish youth, who, scarcely twenty-four, 
Renounced allegiance to all kingly power : 

For him, and ^11 who freely come and pour 

Their lives at Freedom's shrine, strikes natal hour. 

Their troth was plighted, followed soon by priest, 
The wedding past, hard labor as before 

Became their lot — the family increased 
Until eleven jewels mother wore. 

Her firm, unwav'ring, living faith in God, 
Full two and thirty years of toil and care 

Her widow's strength has been — while 'neath the sod 
Five children lie asleep, her treasures rare. 

Not only strength for her, but multitudes 
Who gaze with awe upon her oft, therefore 

Have stronger, better grown — and altitudes 
Of faith and hope have reached, ne'er reached 
before. 



anO ®tbcr ipoems 



And Love Divine so large has made her heart, 
That spite of age, and storm, and ev'ry ill. 

She wearies not, but saint-like, all apart 
Seeks ever sick and poor, their wants to fill. 

O Mother heart ! embracing all mankind. 

Thy strength in weakness passes mortal ken. 

Thy prayers ascending, bless the earth behind. 
While angels welcome them, and sing amen. 



13 



XTbe IRlnetccntb Century? 



THE POEM. 

The door of history is outward swung, 

And forth there troops in countless numbers vast 
A motley group, like monster canvas hung, 

Of man and his great deeds the century past, 

Where 'prisoned in the womb of fruitful time, 
The youngest of the centuries waiting lay, 

Till finished cycle of past years did chime. 
Then sprang a giant from the womb away. 

Enriched by all the treasures left behind 

By ages gone, of knowledge, wisdom, power. 

This century found the few with cultured mind, 
The many slaves, bewailing ev'ry hour; 

Found man an infant this great age to greet, 
While countless treasures undiscovered lay; 

Great Nature's forces, motion, light, and heat 
Undreamed of as applied by him to-day. 

No parlor cars then bore from sea to sea 

Life's busy, hurried, jostling, rushing throng; 

'Twixt horse and lumb'ring stage small choice had he 
Who fain would fly, but needs must creep along : 

14 



ant) ©tbcr poems 



No ocean greyhound then defied the blast, 
No river palace climbed swift-flowing stream, 

But slow, uncertain course the ship did cast 
Before the advent of the giant steam. 

Thou mighty monster steam ! Where didst thou hide 
Through countless ages, while men slowly crept 

Upon this earth? Didst thou midst stars reside, 
The spheres patrol, or hast thou truly slept? 

No tongue thy wond'rous coming had foretold; 

No ear had heard the hissing of thy breath, 
Till Watts appeared, thy secret did unfold. 

And caught the spirits' flight at water's death. 

Thou hast transformed this drowsy, languid world. 

Thou elder brother of electric force. 
Hast monarch wind from kingly power hurled, 

On land the crown hast plucked from noble horse. 

Through thee days have been changed to fleeting 
hours, 

Remotest lands their products interchange ; 
Through thee, unnumbered lesser, useful powers 

Man's wants supply, inventions passing strange. 

Thy strength has scaled the dizzy mountain steep ; 

Thy thund'rous trains are speeding night and day; 
The steel-ribbed land, and restless ocean deep 

Alike are thine, straight dost thou make the way : 
IS 



Ube IRineteentb Centura? 



O'er rivers wide, past canyons' roaring floods, 
Through tunnels vast, on deserts' burning sands, 

Past city, village, hamlet, field, and woods. 
Thy iron horses fly, — pierced are all lands. 

Thy magic power, like genii of the lamp. 

Bids cities, palaces, take form, arise. 
The wilderness and prairie hear thy stamp, 

Lo ! forum, mart, and spire touch the skies. 

Long hast thou triumphed and great honors won, 
Hast multiplied man's comforts many wise, 

But this new century bore another son. 
Whose gifts still greater all the world surprise. 

Though scarcely known and therefore scarcely tried, 
Pervading space, in air, in earth, in cloud, 

Man's chief pursuit to see his strength applied, 
So universal is his might allowed. 

Young, growing giant, born to rule mankind, 
Great boon unknown to old humanity, 

Sans color, weight, or tactile form defined. 
Most wondrous creature, electricity. 

His dazzling rays outshine the light of sun ; 

He forges bolts that unrestrained do kill ; 
When caught and chained his lustre earth has won, 

With arc and incandescent light earth fill. 
i6 



an& ®tber poems 



The swiftness of his feet outruns the light ; 

He turns time backward when on message sent. 
Leaves east at dawn, and spends preceding night 

Waiting for laggard time in Occident. 

His breath so hot, men 'round it like to throng 
'Mid Winter's storm, safe in his trolley car: 

Whose force unseen, draws countless crowds along 
On city streets, and brings them from afar. 

Transmits his voice through thousand miles of space 
By means of late perfected telephone; 

Through him the dead rejoin our living race 
By spoken word, caught in the graphophone. 

He is the soul of matter, late unbound, 

Whose coming marks an epoch for our race; 

Through him the hidden things of earth are found. 
And Nature veilless meets man face to face. 

Bewildered would the man of former age 
Attempt his timorous way, in this, amazed. 

Machinery's pond'rous crash at ev'ry stage 

His nerves would rack — his brain become quite 
dazed. 

Our cities live amid a constant roar, \ 

A babel of confusing sounds in air ; 
'Mid clang of bells and whistle shriek, that o'er 

The ear their splitting sounds break ev'rywhere. 
17 



Hbe IRinetecntb Century? 



Where once the hand of man alone helped brain, 
Now ev'ry want supplied by some machine; 

As wealth increases so his wants do gain, 

His state complex as longer grows the scene. 

What then was work for ten, performed by one, 
Where by machine the workman's toil is shared; 

Some trades are lost, as though they'd ne'er begun, 
While many more have little better fared. 

Apace with matter marched the god-like mind. 
Scaling new heights both human and divine. 

Searching the soul its hidden life to find, 
Passing the stars where lights eternal shine. 

The literary field has been well tilled ; 

Each year our crop of books has larger grown. 
So all that would, have had their shelves well filled 

With precious mental gems to brighten home. 

A Dickens, Newman, Thackeray have been. 
And live immortal in the tales they told ; 

Von Humboldt, Huxley, Pasteur on the scene 

For science wrought — their works shall ne'er grow 
old. 

The heavenly muse, through poets great and small, 
Has sung in ev'ry key and ev'ry clime, 

Burns, Shelley, Keats and Byron, masters all, 

Have garlands won shall last through endless time : 
18 



anb ©tbet poems 



Of Heine, Tennyson, Longfellow, Poe, 

Whose strains the glorious soul of music shed 

To brighten earth, and rob life of its woe, 

Men truly say, these sleep, they are not dead. 

The arts of music, painting, sculpture, all 

Have flourished, grown, and spread throughout the 
earth ; 

Where few choice spirits heard the muses call, 
Great multitudes now find in art new birth. 

While Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Bach still reign. 
And with Beethoven share the masters' place, 

In music's modern realm, the heavens contain 

Great stars, with thousands scarcely less in space. 

The commonness of art is its chief praise. 
Since greatest good is that which is diffused ; 

Instead of costly travel taste to raise 
Rare copies of immortal works are used. 

Thus are the great works of the arts proclaimed, 
And hung with pride upon the lowly wall, 

Adorning cottage, now no more ashamed 
To bear comparison with noble hall. 

The care of youth, and culture of the mind, 
Have broader scope than ever known before ; 

The college now on ev'ry side we find. 

Where learning's light streams through the open 
door. 

19 



XTbe IWlneteentb Centura? 



The state assists the parent with his charge 
To train his children for the public weal, 

For children soon will have their names traced large 
On time's great page, and this should early feel. 

Three teachers form the morals of our race. 
The press, the pulpit, and the public stage. 

Each in its proper sphere has rightful place 
To lead man onward to the golden age ; 

The stage not always true to noblest aims. 

Though sometimes used to paint, or gild a vice, 

At large presents and pleads fair virtue's claims 
With voice both loud and plain, above all price : 

Less coarse than former years, perhaps less strong,, 
The drama draws the common multitude. 

And teaches him who hears not priest or song, 
What in the church is taught in plenitude ; 

Presents it in a fair and pleasing form 

With pomp and circumstance that chain the mind ;. 
Shows him, 'neath guilty ease, the canker-worm, 

Wronged innocence triumphant he does find. 

The pulpit, representing God to man, 
His essence, rule, and trustful adoration, 

Has world-wide, since the century began, 
Grown broader, deeper, preaching toleration. 



anO ®tber poems 



Where churches groped, grim, stern, and obdurate, 
In narrow, darkened paths of bigotry. 

Love's light has beamed, and in their latter state 
The shackles have been burned by charity. 

Love is the theme instead of formal creed. 
Divine, life-giving, cleansing, saving love. 

A refuge safe and sure in ev'ry need, 

Makes heaven of earth and shall be heaven above. 

O hasten, hasten. Lord, the happy day 
When Father Thou shalt truly be for all. 

And all be brothers here, — then shall each way 
Lead home to Thee, and all shall heed Thy call. 

More potent than the pulpit or the stage 

The press has grown our hundred busy years ; 

To ev'ry wrong this knight has flung his gage, 
And conflict seeks wherever vice appears: 

No cause so slight but gains his ready ear. 
No crime so great but he will boldly fight, 

No worthy deed but he will loudly cheer, 
No foe of truth he will not put to flight : 

Where stage and pulpit intermittent speak. 
The press each day, world o'er, does thunder, 

The strong to check, to animate the weak. 

Our daily mental food, guide, friend, and wonder. 



tlbc IRineteentb Century 



Our journals now instead of scant, stale news, 

Collect earth's life into a daily book. 
Which none absorbs complete, but as he choose. 

The bill of fare too large, though famed the cook ; 

In medicine and surgery the age 

Has forward moved with rapid, steady stride ; 
Instead of draining needed blood, the sage 

Now seeks to purify the crimson tide. 

Disease is diagnosed with care and skill, 
And effort made to find the primal cause ; 

The germ-producing microbe of each ill 
Is found for Nature's violated laws: 

With ether, used to deaden shock and pain, 
The skillful surgeon bares the human heart, 

Removes the missile from the wounded brain. 
And cuts from injured limb each unsound part. 

We seek and find new ways to conquer grief. 
To lull the wearied brain to saving sleep ; 

The sick are filled with hope to wait relief. 
Our healing art has balm for those who weep. 

The law and its enforcement show slight change 
These hundred years — while codes have grown 
apace. 

And prison cell for debt become more strange ; 
'Tis precedent still holds the highest place. 



anb ©tber poems 



Instead of Justice with her flaming sword 
Defending right against superior might. 

Blindfolded, groping for the written word, 
Her spirit languishes in verbal night : 

The buried past controls the living now, 

What has been, not what is, decides a cause ; 

The judge's conscience and his reason bow 
Quite oft to nonsense balmed in ancient laws. 

But better than of old is punishment, 
For minor crimes are treated as disease, 

To cure the man is now the main intent 
Instead of public passion to appease. 

The jury spite of faults, our safeguard proves, 
Where motive and temptation close are scanned; 

That often weak and needy crimeward moves. 
Which strong and wealthy easily withstand. 

Yet law's delays still vex the public mind, 
And stir the mob to swift and sure redress; 

Till technicalities are swept behind 

Our courts will fail the people to impress. 

The stately onward march of Liberty 

Has marked our age most glorious of all time ; 

Where serf and slave reproached humanity, 
Now freemen walk in ev'ry Christian clime. 
23 



Ubc IRincteentb Centuri? 



Fair France heroic constancy has shown 

In Freedom's cause. — Her gloomy bastile's fall 

Shook ev'ry tyrant's throne, beside her own; 
Her Revolution was earth's battle call. 

Though since enchained, her heart has ever burned 

For rights of man — for his equality ; 
But nobler still her thoughts have ceaseless turned 

To brotherhood of all, fraternity. 

Her mist of violence and blood has passed, 
And now on high her sun resplendent shines, 

Piercing the clouds of wrong wherever massed, 
Leading the van of Freedom's serried lines. 

In full accord, and equal in command, 
Columbia bears aloft in Western world 

The banner of the free — her willing hand 

Gives aid when tyrants from their thrones are 
hurled. 

Unparalleled in annals of the earth 

Her mighty growth, safe anchored in the law, 

Where each stands in his native manly worth, 
Nor rests on deeds of those he never saw. 

From three to eighty millions has she grown, 
And ever great in volume flows the tide 

That mingles all earth's races with her own, 
In time shall equal all the world beside. 
24 



an& ®tber poems 



O Liberty ! thou hast great wonders wrought, 
But never great as this since time began ; 

Here never-ending praise of thee is taught, 
Here open swing all doors to worthy man. 

Thus of the lights and glories of the age 

My pen would fain proceed ; — but truth demands 

That shadows ling 'ring on this mighty page 
Be painted too, — her voice respect commands. 

We are the slaves of mammon as of yore, 

Hopeful our dreams of countless, hoarded wealth ; 

Trampling the weak, the weary, and heart-sore 
In rush for gold, at sacrifice of health. 

Our syndicates, great trusts, and huge combines. 
Late products of this famed material age, 

Most threat'ning dangers are, and used as lines 
To drive the toiling mass to lowest wage : 

The rich grow richer while the poor man starves. 
The law seems powerless to limit greed ; 

Where Plenty reigns on land and at our wharves 
Gaunt Hunger prowls to still the direst need. 

Fell Faction's spirit too disturbs our peace, 
Each man is measured by his party zeal, 

His valued service to the state must cease 

At party's change — at cost of common weal. 
25 



Ubc IRineteentb Century? 



No candidate is safe from fierce attack, 

His private life is probed from birth to date, 

Repressing truth, with lies he's stabbed in back. 
And often learns the wrong when 'tis too late. 

These wrongs should cease and greatest worth prevail,. 

The state above all parties first should be. 
When country calls, from ev'ry hill and dale 

Let patriots spring — then shall our votes be free. 

What laws cannot effect, religion can. 

By faithful teaching of unselfishness ; 
God's Fatherht>od, — the Brotherhood of Man, 

The wrongs of ev'ry nation shall redress. 

The life of man is not his length of years, 
His joys and woes, his toil and weary cares, 

Nor yet his millions gained through orphans' tears,. 
Nor idle pleasures — these are only snares : 

True life consists in knowing life's great Source, 
In sharing burdens weaker brethren bear, 

In spreading sunshine o'er the dark'ning course 
When want or illness shroud the landscape fair. 

Let all the nations hear, and hearing heed 

The lessons of the past — the Lord is strong — 

Not vainly shall a people call in need. 

To Him the Heavens and the Earth belong. 
26 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS 



an& ©tber poems 



MUSIC. 

Fair Music, heaven-inspired queen ! 

Who since the stars sang at creation's dawn 
Hast ruled the spheres with witchery unseen, 
What soul-absorbing influence is thine. 

The restless infant in his mother's arms 

By soothing lullaby is nursed to sleep ; 
While man, at ev'ry age, in ev'ry clime, 
Bows to thy spell when poets sing in storied rhyme. 

Thy choice ambassadors, the merry birds, 

Bringing thy message to this parched world, 
Winging their airy flight from zone to zone. 
Resting heart of the toiler and king on his throne. 

Thou changest hoary age to joyful youth 

When by the jocund horn the dance is called. 
Then graybeards under thy entrancing spell 
Join the gay throng and none time's flight can tell. 

Freedom awakes when throngs surround the bell 

Sacred to liberty, whose tongue now mute, 

Struck the glad note, grandest that earth has heard 
Since angel choirs on Juda's hills proclaimed the 
Word. 

Such graces are thine, O spirit celestial! 

Despair flies before thee in fear and dismay — 
While Concord and Harmony on the wind's wing 
Scatter perfume and fragrance like flowers of 
Spring. 

29 



Ube IRincteentb Century 



EASTER. 

"The Lord is risen — He is not here!" 

An angel to the woman said ; 
"He whom you seek, in love and fear, 

Walks with the living, lies not with the dead. ' ' 

The Lord is risen — He is not here ! 

Victorious over sin and hell 
He rose, the word to trembling ear 

A whisper, now earth's breeze the tidings swell. 

The Lord is risen — He is not here ! 

Hallelujah ! rejoice, the world is won, 
Dread winter of force and enmity drear 

Is over — glad spring of love and peace has come. 

The Lord is risen — He is not here ! 

Rejoice all ye nations, to-day, 
'Tis Easter! glad bride of the Christian year. 

Feast of promise and hope that shall not decay. 

The Lord is risen — He is not here ! 

Sing with hearts and tuneful voices, 
Join choirs celestial, let flowers appear, 

For ev'ry Christian on this day rejoices. 

The Lord is risen — He is not here ! 

Sin and Death no more dominion have. 
Our bonds are riven — no hopeless tear 

Again shall 'slave us — Easter triumphs o'er the 
grave. 

30 



ant) ©tber poems 



ON THE DEATH OF AUGUSTUS LANG. 

O gentle, patient teacher of my youth, 
Who taught me first to know the good and true ; 
Who led my infant steps on learning's great highway, 
And helped my feeble feet the journey to pursue ; 
Who bade me lift my eyes in hope though long the 

journey seemed, 
And held the lamp of Knowledge high till light 

around me streamed, 
Who taught, 'tis better to be right and lose, than 

win success by sin. 
That Knowledge power is, and safety too, within : 
They say that thou art dead ! But they are wrong 
And thou but sleepest — and thy soul 
For teaching others justice, as 'tis said in Holy Writ, 
"Star-like shall shine for all eternity." 



31 



Ube IKlineteentb Century 



MEMORIAL DAT. 

Fair May-day, set apart for all who fought, 

On which to honor deeds of valor done, 

Heedless where hero's blood was born 

That stained the soil in battle lost or won ; 

Asking no question of his race or creed, 

Thanking our God that such as he had been 

To save the Union in its direful need ; 

Let words and deeds of love thy beauty deck, 

Like fragrant flowers that strew thy soldiers' graves; 

Let charity all bitter thoughts of neighbor check, 

And loyalty o'erwhelm distrust beneath thy waves; 

Let internecine strife be banished from the land. 

And liberty for all thy sturdy watchword be. 

Then shall thy perfect day in golden sunset cease 

All glorious as it fades in peaceful Western sea. 



32 



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THE FOURTH OF JULY. 

Blow your horns and beat your drums ! 

Let the bands all play! 
Ring your bells while music swells, 

This is a joyful day ; 
Again we meet to celebrate 

Our glorious country's birth; 
Greatest land in ev'ry way 

Ever on the earth. 

Let Age and Youth as equals meet 

On Independence day ; 
Let all be boys and make a noise, 

Put work aside for play. 
Let cannons roar and rockets fly 

Till smoke obscures the sun ; 
Let joy be great in ev'ry state 

For deeds on this day done. 

Read aloud our Declaration! 

Let the world give ear. 
So the fettered may be bettered 

When Freedom's shout they hear; 
Make your speeches patriotic, 

Let the eagle scream ! 
Never yet has word been spoken 

Equal to the theme. 

33 



Ube Btneteentb Century 



Sing "Hail Columbia, happy land," 

"My country, 'tis of thee," 
Fling out old glory in song and story, 

To span both land and sea. 
When evening's pleasant hour has come 

And stars are in the sky, 
Praise Him from whom all favors spring 

For the immortal Fourth of July. 




34 



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LIFE'S ROSY MORN. 

Life's rosy morn, through earth and sky 
Reveals the great Creator's plan; 

Proclaims His sov'reign majesty, 
And shows His love for sinful man. 

Then breaks the storm ! The morn forgot, 
When passions rule at noon of life ; 

But Thou, O Lord, forsakest not, 

Thy name doth quell the deadly strife. 

When evening shadows round us creep, 
The weary heart in Thee finds rest ; 

Life's journey o'er, we fall asleep. 
To wake immortal, 'mid the blest. 

Where hearts and voices never tire. 
There evermore Thy praise shall sing. 

In union with the angel choir, 

"Hosanna to our Lord and King!" 



35 



Ubc IRineteentb Century 



I^LAG OF COLUMBIA. 

Flag of Columbia ! Flag of the Free ! 
Fondly and proudly we gaze upon thee ; 
Thy radiant stars in heaven's bright blue 
Make our hearts bound when thou art in view. 

Banner majestic ! Banner sublime ! 
Mirror of Union, grandest of time ! 
Spread thy glad folds to whispering breeze, 
Bear freedom's promise to lands o'er the seas. 

Emblem of liberty ! Hope of the slave ! 
Floating for nations a light on the wave ; 
Soul-cheering sign, for millions enthralled. 
Strength of their arms 'gainst tyrants when called. 

Ever to glory hast thou been borne ! 

Even to cannon's mouth tattered and torn! 

Mid shot and shell, on land and on sea. 

All foes hast conquered that trampled on thee. 

Thy stripes and bright stars are symbols of law, 
Order and growth such as earth never saw, 
Teach all our states in union is strength. 
Like strands of rope entwined in one length. 

Up with our banner ! Shield over all ! 
Rally like brothers should duty call ! 
Ever defend it loyal and true, 
Flag of our Country, The Red, White, and Blue! 

36 



anb ©tber poems 



THE SONG OF THE BICYCLE. 

I sing a song of the bicycle, 

The trusty modern steed — 
Whose rhythmic measure affords me pleasure 

As I ride with wind-like speed. 

When pulse is slow, or spirits low, 

I leave the city street. 
And skim like swallow o'er many a hollow 

Past farm and country seat. 

Past maids that prattle and lowing cattle, 

I mount each ridge and hill ; 
'Mid blossoms fair that scent the air, 

I pass the moss-grown mill. 

Past grassy lawn and men of brawn. 

The country's hope and stay. 
Whose brain and hand secure the land' 

-3 

From threatening decay. 

My pulses bound I spurn the ground, 

Living is pure delight. 
My muscles strengthen as hours lengthen 

From twilight into night. 

I homeward turn and soon discern 
The welcome light there shining. 

With hunger keen I greet the scene 
And presently am dining. 

37 



XTbe IRineteentb Century 



Relieved of tension I find suspension 

In deep and wholesome sleep, 
Nor dread the morrow, nor think of sorrow, 

But bright and cheerful keep. 

Come join the song, its sound prolong, 

All men with limbs of steel ; 
All riders fair from everywhere 

Sing praises of the wheel ! 




38 



anb ©tber poems 



THE LAKE. 

A stretch of waving grain on hill and vale of green ; 

A flood of glory at the sunset hour ; 
A sheet of silver in moonlight's glittering sheen; 

A tree-domed temple like an elf or fairy bower. 

Nestled and calm on mother earth's fair breast; 

Rippled with smiles that spread from shore to shore ; 
Whose soft and limpid sound young love's unrest 

Lures from its depths to seal his fate for evermore. 

Here all is peace amid sweet nature's safe retreat; 
Here merry dancers light of heart trip gaily to and 
fro; 
Here grave-browed seer and seeress ghostly shadows 
meet, 
And hold familiar converse with spirits as they go. 

This is the lake — like maiden bright and fair, 
Full of enchantment in her summer dress ; 

Her girdle bright ,of golden-rod, wood violets in air, 
She welcomes nature's lovers all with warm and 
fond caress. 



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Ube TRtneteentb Centuri? 



TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM RATEN. 

To-night we meet in academic halls 

Builded by thee, where spirits round us hover ; 

Foremost of all art thou, who hearing calls 

Of helpless ignorance, hastened that ignorance 
to cover. 

With generous hand, thy bounty o'er and o'er 

Has borne the children of this town to pleasant 
fields. 
Where sturdy work of mind mid learning's store 
Has gathered golden grain which earnest study 
yields. 

Born in the year when liberty found birth, 

Thy soul to boundless heights for self and others 
soared ; 

Coeval with this state thy soul of zeal and worth 
Began the century here, and here adored. 

Most keenly felt the need of learning's prop 

For multitudes whose share of wealth was small. 

And feeling thus grim death thy spirit could not stop. 
For thou didst fill the lamp of Knowledge for us all. 
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ant) ®tber ipocms 



Thousands now bless thee for thy matchless prize, 
Whose Alma Mater is the Rayen school ; 

Thousands unborn thy name shall praise unto the 
skies 
For mental aid from off this generous spool. 

O blessed shade ! enwreathed in glorious fame, 
Teach men of wealth to love the better part. 
That those who envy thee and would achieve thy 
name, 
Must drop the dross to cultivate the mind and 
heart. 




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Ube IRineteentb Century 



THE PIONEERS. 

With silvered hair and feeble forms, 

The old folks meet again, 
Whose strength was spent for us in storms 
Of Nineteen hundred's early reign; 

Whose strength of arm laid forests low, 
Whose swelling hearts dared ev'ry foe, 
Whose love of learning faced the wind 
In sternest winter, home behind. 

They carried water, hewed the wood 

Of huts, where noble mansions stand ; 
Their fields of toil, where reapers stood. 
Are lawns of velvet in this land. 

Their frames of oak ne'er thrilled with fear; 
Their God to help was always near ; 
Their labor won by sturdy stroke 
That through the wood its music woke. 

Their lives were simple, but sublime; 
From ev'ry land they hither came. 
Mingling the blood of ev'ry clime 
In union's strength to win a name; 
To build the temple, found the state , 
Fighting for freedom long and late ; 
They scaled the mountain, crossed the plain. 
Blazing a path for us who remain. 
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Can any honor be too great 

For those who wrought such deeds? 
Can we, who know them, as they wait 
On life's decline, forget their needs? 
Or fail to give old age its due, 
While youth's wild pleasures we pursue? 
No ! No ! Our love and reverence with the 

years 
Will grow around the Pioneers. 



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Ube Binetecntb Centuri? 



CHRISTMAS, 

O, calm and silent scene, whose starry light 

But dimly through the frosty air reveals a shep- 
herd's fold, 
While near the fire the drowsy shepherds keeping 
watch at night. 
Are kept awake by bleating lambs and stories 
often told. 

When suddenly, celestial light around, above them 
streams, 
And falling down upon the ground they bow their 
heads in fear. 
"Fear not," an angel says — "dispel your cares and 
dreams, 
I bring you tidings of great joy for all men far and 
near. 

"To you to-day a King is born, and this shall be a 
sign, 
The Lord and Master of mankind, in lowly manger 
laid, 
In swaddling clothes, kept warm by breath of kine 
In Bethlehem is. ' ' And so the prophets said. 

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Then joining him the heavenly army sings, 

"Glory to God on high — on earth peace may all 
fill;" 

The heavens are full and on the air it rings, 
"Great joy to all people, to men of good will." 

The music ceased, the shepherds of one mind 

To Bethlehem go, and at the crib in lowly rev'rence 
kneel. 
There in his Mother's arms their newborn Savior 
find. 
Relate to Joseph all that passed and all they feel. 

He hears in joyful wonder what the shepherds say, 
The angels' visit and the message brought. 

And thus communing, finds them at the break of day, 
Forgetful of their flocks in finding him they 
eagerly have sought. 

While Mary, virgin Mother of the Babe Divine, 
The Word made Flesh who came to save mankind, 

Hears all in silence, gives not any sign, 

Save silent rapture, pondering all with happy mind. 

So let us pondering, worship God above, 
In peace and good will toward our fellow-men, 

Relieve the poor, and living lives of love, 

Repeat the angels' message o'er and o'er again. 

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Ube IRtneteentb Century 



THE BA TTLE OF LE PANTO. 

The haughty Turk is monarch of the main ! 

Dark hosts of Islam skirt Lepanto's side! 
Fair Cyprus theirs and Tunis torn from Spain, 

They threaten Christendom with barb'rous tide. 

*'On, on to Venice!" their exulting cry. 

"The Crescent o'er the Cross shall proudly wave; 
The craven Christian fleet shall quickly fly 

Or in the sea will find a ready grave." 

When lo! The Lion of Saint Mark appears 

With war-like fleet, his ships with thunder shod; 

While Spain for Saint lago loudly cheers, 
And all await Colonna's martial nod. 

Dread shock on shock! Inhuman cries 
With smoke of battle pierced the skies ! 

Like demons more than men they fought, 

No quarter Turk or Christian sought. 

'Mid dying shriek and cannon's roar 

The Cross Colonna's flagship bore; 

Mid furious flames and drowning splash 
It swept and struck like lightning's flash. 

For conquest fought the moslem horde. 
To crush the cause of Christ, the Lord ; 
To make of Christian captives, slaves. 
To drown true faith 'neath error's waves. 
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The Christian warrior fought for God, 

For wife and child, and native sod ; 
To save the West from Eastern shame 
He left his home and bravely came. 

The Lord is mighty ! He doth still prevail ! 

The Cross has conquered, low the Crescent lies. 
One grand Te Deum swells victorious sail 

To moslem ears is borne, as in despair he flies. 




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Ube IRineteentb Century 



EUGENE FIELD. 

Kind friends, make way about his grave, 
And let me place a wreath upon his bier. 

For by the touch of nature that he gave 
He made us all his kin now gathered here. 

With tears and hope, with grief and trust, 

We gather round his pall to-day, 
With tears that dust returns to dust, 

With hop^ that angels bore his soul away. 

With grief for those he called his own, 

Relying on his love and care. 
With trust that God has called him home 

And that he'll meet his dear ones there. 

His was the gentle, child-like heart. 

The children's poet, rightly named ; 
Their life was his in ev'ry part. 

His work for them has made him famed. 

Their dreams and sports, their thoughts and deeds, 

All struck in him responsive chords; 
Their helpless infant ways and needs 

Called forth his words that flashed like swords. 
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He crossed the ocean, bridged all time 

To gather sweets of nursery lore ; 
He sang the cradle songs of ev'ry clime, 

And gained the great world's ear for evermore. 

His life was gracious, fair, and sweet, 

A rose full-blown, plucked from the living stem ; 

Perhaps, — who knows? — sharp thorns might bruise 
his feet. 
The Lord has given and taken away again. 

While childhood keeps this old world young ; 

While strength and age to tears and laughter yield ; 
While dreams are dreamt and poets' songs are sung 

The first of childhood's poets will be Eugene Field. 




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Ube IRtneteentb Century 



BILL NTB. 

The funeral bell is tolling sad and low to-day, 

And grief that's nation-wide is borne upon the air 

For him who wrote to drive dull care away, 

And with the torch of humor lighted ev'rywhere. 

What gay and happy hours his letters brought, 
To groups that gathered 'round the evening light; 

What shouts of laughter hailed what he had wrought. 
And sympathy of joyful wit enchained us many a 
night. " 

How well we knew him without presentation, 

And felt fast friends with him through printer's 
art; 

How charmed we watched his growing reputation, 
For his ungainly form enclosed a mighty heart. 

A heart whose throbs all beat to lessen gloom, 
To lift his brethren up from dark despair ; 

A heart so warm and generous — all had room 
In its embrace, and found it brave and fair. 

No more shall he set table in a roar ; 

His wit and humor are forever stilled ; 
But ev'ry heart he lightened will for evermore 

Remember him and bless as he had willed. 

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For ev'ry soul that cures another's pain 

Will surely shine forever in the sky ; 
And long as tears turned laughter is a gain 

Angels and men will love and honor our Bill Nye. 




51 



Ube IFlineteentb denturp 



BURNS' BIRTHDAY. 

Old Scotia's sons are round the board, 
'Tis Burns' birthday, the wine is poured. 
The tables all with dainties stored, 

So lift your glasses ! 
With him who beauty e'er adored 

We'll toast the lasses. 

We'll drink a health to Bonny Jean, 
The fairest fair was ever seen ; 
For him love shone in her blue een 

And constancy. 
Ne'er subject had more gracious queen 

In minstrelsy. 

We'll stray with him on banks of Ayr, 

Where Nature with devoted care 

Taught him such verse that none compare, 

And never will. 
His lays were tuned so true and rare 

They echo still. 

With him we'll sing of love and joy, 
Of Cupid's pranks, the roguish boy, 
Whose crowning bliss has no alloy 

In songs Rob sung ; 
His amorous swains and maidens coy 

Are ever young. 
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Of all the poets at her breast, 

Dame Nature loved our bard the best, 

Her fond affection so impressed 

His youthful heart, 
Her charms with rapture he expressed 

Above all art. 

He sang of flower, of field, and tree, 
Of lowland, highland, mountain, sea, 
Then soaring higher would be free 

And rode the wind. 
His grandest theme was liberty 

For all mankind. 

With heart so warm it beat for all, 
Not e'en a mouse, or daisy small. 
Did danger threaten or befall 

But he would save. 
For justice stood he like a wall. 

So strong and brave. 

O, Scotia's bard ! Immortal Burns! 
The world now to thy music turns. 
And from thy life a lesson learns 

Of modest worth. 
Thy labor endless tribute earns 

O'er all the earth. 



53 



XTbe IRtneteentb Centura 



SUMMER SONG. 

O, joyful summer morn ! 

Whose feathered warblers greet the peep of day, 
When earth arrayed in robes of leafy green 
Invites to shady paths where lovers stray : 

O, fragrant summer flowers ! 
That fill the senses with supreme delight, 
Like blushing maiden when her charms unfold, 
Disclosing beauty's bloom to ravished sight: 

O, glorious summer night ! 
When air, and sea, and sky are music's own; 
When in the lover's heart are sung sweet strains 
That echo in the loved one's heart alone : 

O, silver summer moon ! 
Thou ancient witness of young love's caress, 
That keeps this old world new from year to year. 
And fills the soul with gracious tenderness: 

O, silent summer stars ! 

Who blink at bashful lover's halting kiss. 

As if to cheer the eager, amorous pair. 

To drain life's bubbling cup of joy and bliss: 

Breathe soft in harmony with love's sweet song. 
And guide my fair one to my waiting heart. 
Pray, love-seducing night our summer joys prolong, 
'Till waning moon and fading stars shall chide and 
bid us part. 

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MY LOVE. 

My love has eyes like stars of night! 

Her brow is wondrous fair ; 
When my love smiles dull earth grows bright 

So gentle is her air. 

All roses pale beside her blush 

Whose tints are caught from dawn ; 

Her voice excels the warbling thrush, 
Her throat is like the swan. 

Rare are her teeth of pearly white, 

'Neath lips of ruby red; 
Her dimples, laughter brings to sight, 

Speak, though no word is said. 

The sylph-like form, so light and gay, 

Her artless, winning glance. 
Enchant my soul, time wings away 

When with my love I dance. 

Her laugh is like the song of birds 

When mating time is near; 
Like heaven unto my heart her words 

That fall on 'raptured ear. 

All graces hover round my love. 

All charms does she possess ; 
This world without my own true love 

Were but a wilderness ! 

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Ubc TRtueteentb Centuri? 



WBZ COMB TO KNIGHTS OF COL UMB US. 

Brothers of the mystic tie, 

Welcome to our hearts to-day ; 

Lift the cross of Christ on high, 
Like Columbus lead the way : 

Sail with us to fairest lands, 
Which as yet are dimly seen ; 

Steer our bark to golden strands 
Where rich treasures we may glean. 

Rare the pearl of Unity, 

Striving for the common good. 

Precious gem Fraternity, 

Prized by all this brotherhood. 

Rarer still the pure, bright flame 

Of a God-like, flawless Love, 
World-embracing, e'er the same, 

Binding earth to heaven above : 

Lifts the lowly, clothes the poor, 
Feeds the hungry, warms the cold ; 

All are neighbors at her door, 
Grandest lesson ever told. 

These the jewels Knights shall wear 
Making bright this dull, dark world. 

Welcome here and everywhere 
When this banner is unfurled, 
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SONNETS 

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an& ®tber poems 



WINTER. 

The ages all have sung the praise of spring, 

Fair summer with soft skies still charms the muse, 

Anon does she rich tints of autumn choose 

When feathered songsters southward point the wing. 

Dread winter's praise I sing, though Boreas bring 

His rudest blasts, and strain his mighty thews ; 

'Tis then in fancy's realm I boldly cruise. 

Sweet Erato their queen and I their king. 

As Isabella did King Ferdinand 

Lead on to find and conquer unknown land, 

So Erato, with her impassioned lyre, 

In winter seeks me at my cheerful fire 

And bids me find and cheer the unknown heart, 

And urge the soul to choose the better part. 



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Zbc nainetecntb denturi? 



TUB WALTZ. 

Last night I quiaffed life's brimming cup of joy : 

'Twas in the waltz, when music's harmony 

Thrilled chords oft mute into an ecstacy. 

Heart beat to heart ! Delight without alloy ! 

While time sped swift, its flight could not annoy 

Two souls in one, content with destiny ; 

Full freighted like a golden argosy 

Of love, drawn by bold Cupid, artful boy. 

The rhythmic motion of our flying feet, 

'Mid flashing lights, with pulses bounding high. 

Unnoticed was ; but did our glances meet, 

The heart struck spark that passed from eye to eye 

Bespoke our thoughts of happiness complete, 

That banished space and time till morn was nigh. 



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THE POETS. 

Great poets, masters of the hallowed past, 

By songs sublime throned rulers of the mind. 

Whose soul-uplifting thoughts enrich mankind, 

Who shunning gain, achieved your labors vast, 

Your fame shall brighter grow while time shall last. 

How glorious could our modern singers find 

The harmony of worlds, like Milton blind, 

Or like majestic Greek, rouse men by stirring blast. 

O, mighty shades ! invite the muses forth 

That men who seek to lead will courage take 

To right old wrongs, to rumble earth and quake. 

Till all shall frown on greed, and smile on worth; 

Then shall this iron age to golden turn, 

And living poets your great mantles earn. 



6r 



Ube IRtnetecntb Century 



IMMORTALITY. 

Embarked on life's great voyage, in mid-sea, 

Oft buffeted by passions deep and strong. 

My mind yet turns to beauty, youth, and song. 

Is surging full of thoughts that comfort me; 

And oft at nights when hearts should quiet be. 

Mine lies awake the silent stars among, 

In strange disquiet 'mid celestial throng 

Wond'ring about my future destiny. 

Are thoughts like these born of this time-tied earth? 

Can hearts be filled with less than heavenly worth? 

Do we but grasp at shadow men call fame? 

Are all things mortal whatsoe'er their name? 

My soul replies : Death will but set me free 

To find my home in Immortality. 



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TO BABT JULIAN ON HIS FIRST 
BIR THDA r ANN I VERS ART. 

Dimpled, laughing, crowing Baby Julian ! 
Rosy, romping, restless pet and treasure ! 
Filling hearts and home with purest pleasure ; 
Latest gift of heaven from skies cerulean ; 
By thy sunshine making tasks herculean 
For thy mother lose their weary measure ; — 
What bright star took flight from boundless azure 
Hither bore thee, sun-haired, blue-eyed Julian? 
Like fair angel of the Sistine glory, 
Gazing roguishly at Virgin Mother, 
Matchless cherub, famed in art and story 
Thou art formed — He is thy very brother — 
Pert thou, or else were less than perfect boy. 
But as thou art, the household's radiant joy. 



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Ube IFlineteentb Century? 



ON THE DEATH OF MA CEO. 

Arise, ye dead, who died for freedom's cause, 
And welcome to your ranks great Maceo ! 
Let festal wreath displace his shroud of woe ! 
Let joy be his, unending, without pause. 
Trumpet his fame, who, trampling wrongful laws, 
Hunted and starved, betrayed to the foe, 
Suffered to death through every bitter throe 
To save fair Cuba from her spoilers' maws. 
His triumph o'er, disperse throughout the earth 
And wake the sleeping, selfish world to arms ! 
Proclaim anew fair Liberty's great worth! 
Portray her wondrous, never-fading charms! 
Rouse freedom's hosts on land and every sea 
To act: that Maceo's Cuba may be free! 



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